The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
See the red "messiah" high upon a soap-box pulpit
Agitating his apostles with the gospels in his hand
While apprentice Hitlers gather down in inner city subways
To immortalize their ignorance with aerosol spray cans.
Life is the lesson, history our tutor
Learn from the past, preserve us a future.
So many causes I could die for, but I don't know which is right
In this millenia of martyrs and injustices to fight
Why must brother kill his brother, when united they should stand?
Men by swords and words divided in our broken promised land.
These tattered battle standards fly, their colors do not run
Unlike our tears that trickle down the decades soon to come.
You promised us a "Golden Age", we couldn't wait to try it
But never told us of the blood we'd have to shed to buy it!
[Chorus]
We are brought forth with nothing we struggle for nothing
And then unto nothing return.
Though their words have no meaning, to question them, "Treason!"
Look back, watch the pages of history burn
Our Devil has two wings (both left wing and right)
They carry him far on this anarchic flight
'Till the fools of all nations now at his command
Bring darkness to once green (now unpleasant) lands.
The voices on your TV are like whispers in a dream
Someone else's nightmares in a place you've never been
But the streets run red round Tianneman Square, and the blood won't wash away
You don't recognize their faces, so young and dead they stay.
You've never had to answer to the barrel of a gun
So how could you expect (expect what was to come?)
In the troubled streets of Moscow, and in tenements in Moss Side
There are people using silver tongues to turn dissenting worms
How can the dissatisfaction of some left or right wing faction
Hope to justify the bombs that burst, the innocents that burn.
We move in vicious circles as we fan the fires of hate
And laugh as the 'Four Horsemen' clamor at the starter's gate.
[Chorus]
Preserve us a future.
Agitating his apostles with the gospels in his hand
While apprentice Hitlers gather down in inner city subways
To immortalize their ignorance with aerosol spray cans.
Life is the lesson, history our tutor
Learn from the past, preserve us a future.
So many causes I could die for, but I don't know which is right
In this millenia of martyrs and injustices to fight
Why must brother kill his brother, when united they should stand?
Men by swords and words divided in our broken promised land.
These tattered battle standards fly, their colors do not run
Unlike our tears that trickle down the decades soon to come.
You promised us a "Golden Age", we couldn't wait to try it
But never told us of the blood we'd have to shed to buy it!
[Chorus]
We are brought forth with nothing we struggle for nothing
And then unto nothing return.
Though their words have no meaning, to question them, "Treason!"
Look back, watch the pages of history burn
Our Devil has two wings (both left wing and right)
They carry him far on this anarchic flight
'Till the fools of all nations now at his command
Bring darkness to once green (now unpleasant) lands.
The voices on your TV are like whispers in a dream
Someone else's nightmares in a place you've never been
But the streets run red round Tianneman Square, and the blood won't wash away
You don't recognize their faces, so young and dead they stay.
You've never had to answer to the barrel of a gun
So how could you expect (expect what was to come?)
In the troubled streets of Moscow, and in tenements in Moss Side
There are people using silver tongues to turn dissenting worms
How can the dissatisfaction of some left or right wing faction
Hope to justify the bombs that burst, the innocents that burn.
We move in vicious circles as we fan the fires of hate
And laugh as the 'Four Horsemen' clamor at the starter's gate.
[Chorus]
Preserve us a future.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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this song is great and it brings a lot of questions to life which we should try to answer